A SELJUK CAST BRONZE MIRROR WITH SPHINXES
Iran or Anatolia, 12th - 13th century

Of circular shape with a thin straight handle, one side decorated with two addorsed sphinxes with scorpion tails, their faces replaced by heart-shaped abstract designs, on the outer rim an undeciphered inscription in foliate Kufic, possibly benedictory, engraved vegetal tendrils on the handle, the back plain, 11cm diam. and 19.5cm long.

During the rise of Seljuk and Turkish dynasties in the 12th - 13th centuries, a large production of circular cast-bronze mirrors can be witnessed. These mirrors had both a practical and apotropaic function, conceived as talismans often bearing benedictory inscriptions and auspicious animals and motifs. Given the wide popularity of these mirrors, many examples can be found in several museum collections (see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 15.43.285; and the LACMA, AC1995.252.28).